Code-Switching in WhatsApp Voice Notes Among Generation Z: Patterns and Communicative Functions

This paper examined the English and Urdu languages used by Generation Z students at universities together (codeswitching) in sending WhatsApp voice messages in Pakistan. The application of codeswitching is an important approach in the multilingual countries to reflect identity and accomplish the object of communication. We studied voice notes of 16 bilingual students using a qualitative design. We realized that both mixed languages naturally amongst all the participants. Majority of the voice notes possessed a single or two switches. The primary cause of the alteration of languages among the students was to present the stress, emphasize, or clarify their meaning. The findings indicate that Gen Z intentionally employs codeswitching to establish an expressive and innovative style of communication that incorporates the use of emotional tones and usage of language. This study assists us in knowing the bilingual nature of Pakistan youth.